“Fancy a bit of London in Johannesburg?” That’s what they might have said when Kew was established back in 1905. The suburb of Kew, that is. It is not the botanical garden.
Kew sits within Region E of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. But how did this South African suburb get its name?
Well, the story goes that Kew was named after the famous Kew Gardens in London. Someone must have felt a connection to that green space far across the ocean.
Imagine this area back in 1905. It became a suburb. A new community started to grow. Did they try to recreate a bit of that London atmosphere here?
Today, Kew covers an area of about 2.39 square kilometers. According to the 2011 census, almost 6000 people call Kew home.
The population density is around 2,500 people per square kilometer. That is a pretty packed community.
In 2011, the racial makeup was diverse. About 85% of the population was Black African. Around 6% were White. Just over 6% identified as Indian or Asian. Two percent were Coloured.
English is spoken by 27% of the people in Kew. Zulu is spoken by 23%. Northern Sotho is spoken by just over 10%. Xhosa by almost 8%.
Kew is a place where many languages and cultures come together. A true South African melting pot.
The next time you are in Johannesburg, take a drive through Kew. Think about its history. Think about the vision of those who named it after a London garden. Kew offers a glimpse into the past. It is a vibrant community with a story to tell. A story rooted in both Africa and a touch of faraway England.